hallyu north — Image: Instagram/@HallyuNorth

From the sensational boy and girl bands to the dance troupes to the fans that follow them, it’s hard not to be mesmerized by Korean pop culture. If you agree, Canada’s largest Hallyu expo is in town and Vv Magazine’s Amanda Phuong has all the details.

Clear your weekend schedules because a giant K-POP festival is headed to Toronto! From Friday, May 6th to Saturday, May 7th, head to the Enercare Centre (100 Princes’ Blvd at Exhibition Place) for Canada’s largest Hallyu Expo.

Visitors will have the opportunity to chow down on a slew of Korean food, take part in some interesting workshops (including ones that teach you how to fan chant to popular boy-band SHINee and how to perform on stage like the pros), meet & greet with your favourite K-POP idols and Youtube stars, dress up in cosplay, dance to live music performances, and much more.

Sound like something you might be into? Tickets are selling fast, so grab ’em while you can and make sure you don’t miss these 6 things at Hallyu North:

SHINee Concert
If you don’t know SHINee, you’re probably not a true K-POP fan. The Korean boy-band sensation has over 6 million Facebook fans and their Youtube videos rack up-and-over 25 million views (the video below has over 75 million!). They’ll be performing in Canada for the first time ever at Hallyu North, and it’s bound to be a concert you’ll never forget. The show takes place on opening day (Friday, May 6) at 7pm sharp.

Kosplay Kontest
All visitors are encouraged to wear their best ‘kosplay’ costumes, so dress to impress! Contest entrants will be asked to show off their best ‘kosplay’ skills in front of 3 special guest judges and the winner will get a grand prize from THEFACESHOP Canada. Get full contest rules here and don’t forget to fill out this form to participate.

K-POP Dance School
Bring out your inner K-POP dance goddess and learn moves from the best of the best. There are three dance classes to take part in with three different Youtubers and dance crews including (my personal favourite,) EAST2WEST. Get the full schedule here.

A Walk through Drama – Hanbock Fashion Show
Take a trip to the past and relive your Korean drama memories. This fashion show, done in collaboration with Toronto-based costume shop Seshil Hanbok, will feature the original traditional clothing seen in your favourite Korean dramas.

Get a Makeover at the idolSALON
Become a K-POP idol, or at least look like one, at the idolSALON. Sponsored by THEFACESHOP Canada, the mini salon will be offering free makeovers through the duration of the festival and visitors will have the chance to win THEFACESHOP products.

Meet Eden & Melo
Get up close and personal with the dreamy singer and former LC9 member, Eden Park, and up-and-comer Melo, before their performance on Saturday.